Mechanism testing device



June 2, 1.936. A. L. BENNETT u ,0

MECHANI SM TESTING DEVICE Filed Oct. 2, 1954 2 Sheets-Sheet l /7@ya 4. 56/7/7627 BY ATTORNEY June 2, 1936. V A. 1... BENNETT 2,042,761

MECHANISM TESTING DEVICE Filed Oct. 2, 1954 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 fiya 4. 55/7/1617 INVENTOR ATTORNEY Patented June 2, I936 Nrrso STATES PATENT OFFICE Application October 2,

Claims.

This invention relates to acoustics and its general object is to provide a sound device for the purpose of detecting defects and the like in mechanisms, preferably of the delicate type, such as watch movements, by transmitting and amplifying sounds caused thereby, so that the defects can be ascertained in an easy and expeditious manner and remedied accordingly, thereby overcoming the long and tedious methods now employed.

A further object of the invention is to provide a sound transmitting and amplifying device that is primarily designed for use with watch movements, in adjusting, regulating or replacing defective parts and particularly for regulating a movement by comparing the volume of the beats of a perfect movement with that of a defective one, so that defects can be readily detected and the proper adjustment made while listening to the beats of the two movements to bring the beats into synchronism.

Another object of the invention is to provide a sound transmitting device that includes volume controlling means for use in synchronizing the beats of two mechanism or movements of watches.

A further object of the invention is to provide a device of the character set forth, that is simple in construction considering the functions thereof, inexpensive to manufacture, and extremely eflicient in operation and service.

This invention also consists in certain other featuures of construction andrin the combination and arrangement of the several parts, to be hereinafter fully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawings and specifically pointed out in the appended claims.

In describing my invention in detail, reference will be had to the accompanying drawings wherein like characters denote like or corresponding parts throughout the several views, and in which:

Figure 1 is a top plan view of the device which forms the subject matter of the present invention.

Figure 2 is a front View thereof.

Figure 3 is a top plan view.

Figure 4 is a sectional view taken approximately on line 44 of Figure 2, looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figure 5 is a sectional View taken approximately on line 5-5 of Figure 2, looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figure 6 is a sectional view taken approximately on line 66 of Figure 4, looking in the direc tion of the arrows.

Referring to the drawings in detail, the reference numeral 1 indicates what may be termed a platform of rectangular formation and which includes a top as shown and depending walls to provide a hollow portion as best shown in Figure This platform is made from any well known 1934, Serial No. 746,599

material but is preferably constructed from hard rubber or the like.

symmetrically arranged on the top of the platform is a pair of substantially cup-shape members 2 that provide part of means which may be termed Stethoscopes, and these members in the form as shown are provided with flat bottoms that rest upon the top of the platform, but each are provided with a nipple 3 that extend through an opening formed in the top, and the members are fixed to the top through the instrumentality of bolt and nut connections 4.

v The cup-shape members are each provided with conical recesses that incline from adjacent the outer periphery thereof, to the nipple 3, and the recesses are provided with annular concentrically arranged grooves to provide a stepped formation as shown in Figures 1 and 5. The upper periphery of the cup-shape members are flat for the purpose of receiving diaphragms 5 which are held across'the recesses thereof by ring members 6, the latter having threaded flanges to be received by threads formed exteriorly of the cup-shape members as clearly shown in Figure 5 which likewise disclose the fact that the ring members have serrated bands 1 formed on and extending outwardly therefrom whereby a convenient grip can be had on the ring members for applying and removing the same with respect to the cup-shape members as will be apparent.

The nipples 3 each have secured therein one branch of an elbow 8 while the other branches of the elbows have secured thereto, one of the ends of flexible tubes 9 for a purpose which will be presently apparent.

. Secured to the underside of the top of the platform is a casing II] for a valve and this casing has extending from diametrically opposite sides thereof nipples I l to which are secured the opposite ends of the tubes 9 as clearly shown in Figure 3, while extending forwardly from the casing is a nipple I 2 that is of a length to extend through the front wall of the platform and which has secured thereto a flexible tube l3, the latter forming a part of a stethoscope transmitting means I4 that includes the usual ear pieces I5.

Mounted for rotation in the valve casing I0 is a valve core l6 that includes a rounded face following the curvature of the chamber of the casing II] as clearly shown in Figure 6, and the core is normally held in contacting engagement against the wall of the chamber through the instrumentality of a coil spring I! that surrounds a stem [8 that has the core slidably mounted thereon and which extends from a shaft l9 mounted for vertical rotation through the top of the platform as best shown in Figure 4. The spring I! is disposed within a recess of the core and has its end convolutions engaging the latter and the shaft respectively.

The shaft [9 has secured to the upper end thereof a knob 20 from which extends a pointer 2|, the latter cooperating with a dial 22 that is painted or otherwise formed on the upper surface of the top, as best shown in Figure 1.

Cooperating with the stethoscope members that are secured to the platform are clamping means, there being a clamping means for each member as shown, and each clamping means includes a post 23 that is mounted for rotation in the top of the platform.

Extending from the post at right angles with respect thereto is an arm 24 that has secured or otherwise formed on the outer end thereof a collar 25, the latter being interiorly threaded to accommodate a set screw 26 that is provided with a serrated knob 2'! as shown. It will be apparent that the clamping means are movable so that the set screws can be disposed over the diaphragms 5 for clamping objects such as watch movements on the diaphragms for a purpose which will now be described.

In the use of my device in testing a watch movement for defects, such as hair spring coils touching, balance wheel rubbing, rough balance pivots, or defective jewel bearings, the movement is placed upon one of the diaphragms 5 and clamped thereon through the medium of its set screw 26. The valve is then moved to neutral position as shown in Figure l or to a position so that the port for the passageways leading to the cupshape member having the movement disposed upon its diaphragm is completely open, so as to assure a clear and uninterrupted passageway for the sounds. Such a position of the valve is illustrated in Figure 6 which likewise discloses the fact that the rounded face of the valve core I6 is of a size to completely close either of the ports of the casing l0, and when in neutral position all the ports are open. Due to the fact that the platform is relatively small, it can be held at various angles, as the sound of certain defects do not take place or are not audible when the movement is in one position, but are present when the movement is disposed to another position. The clamping of the movement upon the diaphragm materially increases the volume of sound as a more direct contact is made between the movement and the diaphragm.

In regulating a watch, my device is used in a manner whereby it may be termed a synchronizer, and a perfectly timed watch movement is clamped to one diaphragm, while the watch movement to be regulated is clamped upon the other diaphragm. The movements may be disposed in their casings but are preferably removed therefrom, especially the movement to be regulated.

The pointer is disposed to neutral position, then the ear pieces are placed in the operator's ears. The pointer for the valve or what I term the volume regulator is then adjusted so that the volume of the beats of the two watches are equal, it being obvious that the movements of some watches produce sounds of much greater volume than other movements, therefore it becomes necessary to equalize the volume by the volume regulator. The next step in adjusting or regulating the time of the defective movement is to touch the balance Wheel thereof with a pointed tool, until the movements are brought to an even beat or sound as one watch. If the beats of the watches are not in synchronism, the watch being regulated is off time, therefore its regulator is moved or adjusted until the beats are in synchronism or sound as one watch.

It is thought from the foregoing description that the advantages and novel features of my invention will be readily apparent.

I desire it to be understood that I may make changes in the construction and in the combination and arrangement of the several parts, provided that such changes fall within the scope of the appended claims.

What I claim is:

1. A testing device for delicate mechanisms, comprising a platform, amplifying means secured to the platform and including a cup-shape memher, a diaphragm for supporting mechanism to be tested and secured to the cup-shape member, mechanism clamping means pivotally mounted on the platform, and sound transmitting means in communication with the amplifying means.

2. A testing device for delicate mechanisms, comprising supporting means, amplifying means on the supporting means and including a cupshape -member having a conical recess therein extending from the center thereof, a nipple for the cup-shape member and extending through the supporting means, a diaphragm covering the recess and secured to the cup-shape member,

mechanism clamping means mounted on the supporting means and. for disposal over the diaphragm, and sound transmitting means including ear pieces and disposed in communication with the recess through the instrumentality of the nipple.

3. A testing device for delicate mechanisms, comprising a supporting means, a pair of amplifying means secured on the supporting means and including cup-shape members having conical recesses extending from the center thereof, a diaphragm for closing each recess, means for securing the diaphragms to the cup-shape members, volume controlling means in communication with each of the recesses, and sound transmitting means including ear pieces in communication with the volume controlling means.

4. A testing device for delicate mechanisms, comprising supporting means, a pair of amplifying means secured to the supporting means and including cup-shape members, a diaphragm for each cup-shape member, mechanism clamping means disposed above the diaphragms for clamping instruments thereto and mounted upon the supporting means, volume controlling means in communication with each of the amplifying means, and sound transmitting means in communication with the volume controlling means.

5. A testing device for delicate mechanisms, comprising supporting means, sound amplifying means mounted upon the supporting means and including cup-shape members, a diaphragm for each cup-shape member, volume controlling means depending from the supporting means, tubular means disposing the volume controlling means in communication with the cup-shape members, a rotary valve included in the volume controlling means and adapted to close communication from either of the amplifying means, and sound transmitting means in communication with the volume controlling means.

' ARYA L. BENNETT. 

